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The Government’s chief medical adviser has recommended regular cycling as a
way to help prevent cancer, heart disease, strokes, diabetes and mental
health problems, calling on councils to embrace a “valuable opportunity” to
invest in cycle provision.

Dame Sally Davies also said that children would experience “important health
benefits” from cycling to school, but added that local authorities must
create an environment in which children and their parents could “cycle with
confidence”.

She said: “Cycling for all or part of your 150 minutes of physical activity
each week can help to prevent or manage over 20 long-term conditions,
including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and mental
health problems.”

The Government’s health reforms will pass some of the power and money for
public health to local councils. Norman Baker, the Transport Minister, and
Anna Soubry, the Public Health Minister, said recently that they would have
no objection to health funding being used to improve cycle lanes.

Dame Sally, who was a senior haematologist at Central Middlesex Hospital for
more than 25 years and has been Chief Medical Officer since 2010, said: “It
will be a valuable opportunity to make sure that cycling, and indeed
walking, are included in local transport plans.” She said councils would
have to assess what was the best way to improve local health, but added: “I
think that investment in cycling to drive up physical activity might emerge
as one of the ‘best buys’ in some areas.”

According to the transport charity Sustrans, about two thirds of journeys
under five miles are made by car in the UK. The parliamentary inquiry into
cycle safety in Britain, inspired by the Times’ Cities Fit for
Cycling campaign, has heard that getting people to make short journeys by
bike would be healthier and more affordable and would ease congestion.

Dame Sally said that the health benefits of cycling “far outweigh the risks”,
and added that “as more people cycle, the relative risks decline”.

“Cycling shorter journeys saves money, can help to address health inequalities
and help protect our planet,” she explained. “In particular, improving the
environment for walking and cycling reaches people from all socio-economic
groups.”

Encouraging schools to provide cycle racks and to work with parents on finding
safe routes to school is a key factor in promoting healthy travel, according
to expert evidence presented to the “Get Britain Cycling” inquiry.

It was revealed last year that local councils are failing to claim millions of
pounds in funding made available for cycle training in schools. Only 250,000
children received Bikeability cycling proficiency training last year.

Dame Sally said: “Where it is safe and appropriate to do so, cycling to school
can bring important health benefits to children. What’s more, fitter
children concentrate better in school. However, we have to make sure that
cycling is safe and is seen to be safe.

“Bikeability is a great way of equipping youngsters with the skills and
awareness to cycle safely, but we need to educate other road users and
create an environment in which children and their parents can cycle with
confidence.”

When asked if she ever travels by bicycle or cycles recreationally, Dame Sally
replied: “I do use a bike and enjoy cycling, especially when I am on
holiday.”

Julian Huppert MP, who is chairing the parliamentary cycling inquiry - due to
report in April - said that the inquiry would gladly consider the Chief
Medical Officer’s interview with The Times as part of the
inquiry’s evidence. He said: “I’m delighted to have support from such a
senior and well respected figure on cycling.”